Rob Torrance, Head of Delegation

Rob Torrance will be heading to Greece for the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games as the Special Olympics New Zealand Head of Delegation. Rob’s job will be to provide support and assistance to athletes and coaches and make sure everything is on track so the athletes can focus on their training and games.

Rob has been appointed to the position after serving as the Head of Delegation for the team from Otago at the Special Olympics National Summer Games in Palmerston North. He also travelled to the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai as the basketball team head coach where he helped them bring home a gold medal.

Rob’s involvement in the team grew from his son Craig’s interest in playing the sport. Craig was hooked on basketball after seeing his dad playing and coaching mainstream basketball in Otago. Craig was a member of 2007’s winning team and the impact it had on him is what drives Rob’s commitment to Special Olympics. Rob emphasises the huge effect that participation in a World Games can have on athletes. “It’s a completely life changing experience for them, they come home with so much more confidence,” he says. “I love seeing athletes perform at their personal best and if that means medals then all the better!”

Rob has been a fire fighter since 1982 and is currently the Senior Station Officer at the Willowbank Station in Dunedin. When he’s not on the job or the basketball court he enjoys golf, waterskiing, reading and cooking.